Since the opening of the church  in  1939, music has played an important role in the life of Immanuel and music has been  seen as a vital element in enhancing worship.

The organist and choirmaster, Geoffrey Gleed, has been in post for more than fifty years and is well known in the area for his musicianship.

We are very proud of our church choir (currently around 20 members) which leads morning worship on most Sundays throughout the year, with an introit and an anthem. The choir has made several recordings (CDs available on request!)  and has broadcast on the radio on more than one occasion. It has also had the privilege of being invited to sing Evensong  in Anglican cathedrals.

The choir preparing for worship

The music of the church is a  broad mix with traditional hymns alongside more modern songs, and the choir has a repertoire that encompasses plainsong chant, Byrd and  Palestrina through to Matthias and Rutter.

We regularly  use  two  hymn books: “Rejoice and Sing” and “Sing Praise”

The choir in action 

 

Here are a couple of tracks from one of the choir’s CDs:   “Immanuel Celebration 60” :  “Lord Give me Faith” (a short anthem by Kathleen Robson) and then the Walford Davies setting of Psalm 121 – we hope you  enjoy them.

(Recordings made under Immanuel copyright license. CCLI 547036)

Rooms in our building are used regularly as a rehearsal venue for three local choirs – “Ten in a Bar”, “The Co-op Ladies Choir” and “AVE” – and from time to time both  “The Thamesdown Ladies Choir” and Swindon’s “Light Operatic Society” make use of our facilities for ad hoc rehearsals.  

In addition, Immanuel serves as a centre for the Associated Board Music Examinations and has done so  for more than 50 years. As a result, countless numbers of students and their teachers see us as a centre for music in the town.

With seating for 200+ people and with good acoustics, Immanuel is often booked for concerts by outside groups and choirs  in the town. One such event is the annual visit of the prize-winning Aldbourne Band who have held a concert at the church at the end of January for more than fifty years. Another  annual  event is “Sing Out for Brighter Futures”  that  raises funds for the local  hospital’s charity when  24 choirs sing in 30  minute ‘slots ‘ from  9am  to  9pm. In 2026 the total  raised  exceeded  £3,000.